Telescoping tumbling toy

ABSTRACT

A tumbling toy includes a shell or housing formed of two or more telescoping sections, providing adjustment of the length of the shell and thus the moment of inertia of the toy to affect the tumbling rate. Extending the telescoping housing increases the moment of inertia of the toy, and provides a longer path of travel for the mass within the shell, resulting in a slower rate of tumble for a given slope. The sections may be separated also, allowing the mass contained within to be exchanged for one of greater or lesser mass, which also affects the tumbling rate of the toy. The outer shell sections may be made of plastic or other suitable material, with the moving mass contained therein comprising a marble or the like, or a steel or other metal ball bearing or the like, or a lead sphere or other suitable shape. An internal mass of less than the mass of the shell structure may be provided if desired, as well as masses substantially equal to the shell, or greater than the shell, as desired. The tumbling surface of the toy may be partially or completely coated with a material having a high coefficient of friction (e.g., rubber or soft vinyl, etc.) in order to provide a better grip on a surface and preclude slipping of the toy.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to toys which are adapted toproduce a motion when activated, and more specifically to a tumbling toywhich contains a longitudinally movable mass within a hollow body. Thebody is formed of two or more telescoping segments, in order to adjustthe moment of inertia of the body according to the adjusted length ofthe telescoped segments, and further to provide interchangeability ofdifferent: masses within the body, to affect the tumbling rate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toys and the like which provide some form of action, particularly arepeating complex motion of some sort, are generally fascinating topeople, particularly to younger children. Relatively simple means ofproviding such action in an unpowered toy has been developed in thepast, as will be discussed in the Description of the Prior Artfollowing. These toys rely upon a mass which is free to shift itsposition longitudinally within the body of the toy, as the body tumblesend over end down a slope. The resulting action is a repeating end overend action, generally with some delay in each half revolution due to thetime it takes for the enclosed mass to roll from one end of the body tothe other. However, persons will generally quickly tire of watching sucha toy, due to the consistent rate of the tumbling action. With a body offixed length, and an internal weight of fixed mass, the tumbling ratecannot be varied and will remain constant.

What is needed is a tumbling toy which provides for changes of thelength of the body (particularly the internal length traveled by themoving mass within), and/or the mass contained within, in order toadjust the moment of inertia of the toy to provide different tumblingrates. The toy must provide for simple and rapid adjustment of lengthand/or internal mass, so that the adjustment may be made by childrenplaying with the toy, rather than requiring intervention by an adult orolder person.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 1,254,428 issued to Hubert A. Myers on Jan. 22, 1918describes a Tumbling Toy having two flat, parallel sides each having anoval shaped periphery. A round ball is enclosed within a central tubewhich runs the length of the device. The toy is operated by placing iton an inclined surface or slope with the flat sides perpendicularthereto and the central tube and major axis of the toy oriented in thedirection of the slope, and released. The glass of the internal balltravels the length of the tube to the lowermost rounded end, and causesthat end to rotate down the slope along the rounded edges of the sides.The action is repeated as the internal ball again rolls from one end ofthe internal tube to the other, resulting in a tumbling, end over endaction. However, the toy is completely sealed, and neither its length,the length of the internal tube in which the spherical mass rolls, northe mass itself, may be changed or adjusted in any way. Thus, the momentof inertia of the toy is fixed, with the only adjustment being thedegree of slope down which it tumbles. The resulting tumbling rate isconstant for any degree of slope, and cannot be adjusted to providegreater interest.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,494,963 issued to Elbert L. Smith on May 20, 1924describes a Container Toy which operates on the same general principledescribed above. The toy includes oppositely disposed "feet," whichaffect the tumbling action. An openable flap is described by Smith,whereby a person may remove an article of candy or the like from withinthe hollow center, and replace it with a mass (marble, etc.). However,Smith makes no suggestion that the tumbling rate may be altered bychanging the mass within the body; rather, he relies strictly upon the"feet" extending from the body to provide additional interest to thetumbling action. The body is of fixed length, and cannot be adjusted,and yet the length of the body will be seen to have a greater effectupon the tumbling action than a corresponding change in mass.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,614,471 issued to Andrew T. Hayashi on Jan. 18, 1927describes a Japanese Peanut Ping Pong Game wherein a peanut shapedhollow container with a spherical mass therein, is released to travelrandomly down a slope and trip a scoring switch or light at the end ofits path. The peanut is generally realistically shaped, which means itcan also roll about its longitudinal axis, as well as tumble end overend. As the moment of inertia is lower about the longitudinal axis, thepeanut shape will generally take the path of least resistance and rollabout that axis rather than tumbling end over end, as is provided by theshape of the present toy with its square or rectangular cross section.Moreover, the halves of the shell are sealed, precluding any exchange ofdifferent masses within the shell, and the shell cannot be telescoped tochange the length and moment of inertia, as provided by the present toy.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,519,273 issued to Jette Viby on Jul. 7, 1970 describes aCombined Tumbling Toy With Ribs And Ball wherein the housing or shellhas a generally elliptical cross section, resulting in a greater rollingaction for the toy over a longer distance, with all other factors beingequal. The Viby toy also has a round cross section, making it morelikely to roll about its longitudinal axis than to tumble, as in thepeanut shaped device of the Hayashi patent discussed further above.While Viby describes a shell having a mass less than that of theinternal ball, he also permanently encloses the mass within the shell sothat it cannot be exchanged for a greater or lesser mass. Also, the Vibyhousing or shell cannot be telescoped, even if the constructionotherwise permitted, due to its elliptical shape.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,213,266 issued to Joseph F. Hyland et al. on Jul. 22,1980 describes a Tumbling Toy wherein the side walls of the tube arecurved similarly to the Viby device discussed above. The Hyland et al.toy also has a circular cross section, as in the Viby toy, but Hyland etal. appear to recognize the lack of restriction to a tumbling motionthat such a rounded section would allow, and provide a narrow, arcuatetrack or rocker in which the toy is restricted to an end over endtumbling action. The shell or housing for the toy is permanentlyassembled, precluding any exchange of the mass therein or extension ofthe length of the housing to change the moment of inertia of the toy.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,238,904 issued to Dorothy M. Lang on Dec. 16, 1980describes a Toy Displaying Erratic Tumbling Movement, comprising atriangular shaped housing with a ball enclosed therein. The edges of thetriangular housing are round, to enable the device to turn from one sideto the other as it moves down a slope. The weighted sphere or ballwithin the Lang device is permanently enclosed therein, and cannot beremoved to provide for greater or lesser weights. The apices of thetriangle are open, but the openings are not sufficiently large to allowthe mass contained therein to be removed. Lang notes that the externalsurface may have a high coefficient of friction, but the ball capturedwithin the device must have a relatively lower coefficient of frictionin order to roll smoothly within the housing. Thus, when the ballhappened to come in contact with the underlying surface through one ofthe apex openings, slippage could occur. The present toy is elongate andcompletely enclosed during operation, regardless of the length of thetelescoped housing.

British Patent Publication No. 197,110 to Harry S. Kamiya and publishedon May 10, 1923 describes an Apparatus For Use In Playing A Game OfSkill, wherein an elongate tumbling device somewhat like that describedin the patent to Myers (discussed above) is used in the play of a game.The object is to allow for the tumbling action and cause the tumblingdevice to drop into a hole in the inclined surface, to win a prize. Noadjustment of the tumbling device is disclosed in the Kamiya patentpublication.

Finally, Japanese Patent Publication No. 55-78983 to Nitto Electric andpublished on Jun. 14, 1980 describes a tumbling toy having an outersurface at least partially coated with a highly plastic rubber gel,enabling the toy to grip highly inclined surfaces. Both oval and squareconfigurations are shown. While the present toy also makes use ofsurface materials having a high coefficient of friction, the NittoElectric toy makes no provision for telescoping to change the length andmoment of inertia of the toy or changing the internal mass to one ofgreater or lesser mass.

None of the above noted patents, taken either singly or in combination,are seen to disclose the specific arrangement of concepts disclosed bythe present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By the present invention, an improved tumbling toy is disclosed.

Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to providean improved tumbling toy which incorporates a shell or housing whichcomprises two or more telescoping portions, thereby providing for theextension of the housing along its longitudinal axis to change themoment of inertia and tumbling rate of the toy.

Another of the objects of the present invention is to provide animproved tumbling toy which telescoping sections are separable,providing access to the interior of the housing to allow the exchange ofthe mass contained therein for one having greater or lesser mass,thereby also changing the moment of inertia of the toy.

Yet another of the objects of the present invention is to provide animproved tumbling toy which internal rolling mass may be greater than,equal to, or less than the mass of the housing in which it is contained.

Still another of the objects of the present invention is to provide animproved tumbling toy which housing may be formed of plastic or othersuitable material, and which internal mass may comprise a marble, asteel or other metal ball bearing or the like, or a generally sphericallead mass, depending upon the results desired.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedtumbling toy which includes at least a partial coating thereon of a highfriction coefficient substance, thereby precluding slippage on inclinedsurfaces.

A final object of the present invention is to provide an improvedtumbling toy for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependableand fully effective in accomplishing its intended purpose.

With these and other objects in view which will more readily appear asthe nature of the invention is better understood, the invention consistsin the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fullydescribed, illustrated and claimed with reference being made to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present tumbling toy, showing itstumbling action down an inclined surface or slope.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view in section of a first embodiment of thepresent tumbling toy, showing the telescoping action of the two parthousing to change the length and moment of inertia of the housing andtoy.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view in section of a second embodiment of thepresent tumbling toy, showing the telescoping action of a multiple parthousing to change the length and moment of inertia of the housing andtoy.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the tumbling toy of the firstembodiment, showing the separability of the two housing portions and theinterchangeability of the mass contained herein.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tumbling toy of the first embodiment,showing a tumbling surface coated with a material having a highcoefficient of friction for better grip on a sloped surface.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate means of providing atumbling surface having a high coefficient of friction, wherein twospaced apart bands of such material are provided.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the several figures of the attached drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the presentinvention will be seen to relate to a telescoping tumbling toy 10,adapted to tumble end over end down an inclined plane or slope S, as theinternal weight or mass 12 rolls or shifts from one end to the other ofthe toy. Various configurations of such toys based upon the generalconcept have been developed in the past, but the present toy includes afirst section 14 and an opposite second section 16, which sections 14and 16 are telescopingly assembled to one another and are furtherseparable from one another, to provide access to the weight or mass 12loosely installed therein. By telescoping the two sections 14 and 16together or apart, the overall length of the toy 10 may be altered,and/or the sections 12 14 and 16 may be separated to allow the weight 12therein to be exchanged for one of greater or lesser mass, as desired.

The embodiment of the present toy 10 shown in FIG. 1 is shown in furtherdetail in FIGS. 2 through 4 of the drawings. Toy 10 includes a hollowinterior 18 enclosed by a first end section 14 and an oppositelydisposed second end section 16 telescopingly assembleable together, asnoted above. Each section 14 and 16 includes a convex (preferablysemicircular) first end (respectively 20 and 22), opposite first contactpanels 24 and 26 and second contact panels 28 and 30, and opposite firstside walls 32 and 34 and second side walls 36 and 38. The contact panels24 through 30, along with the opposite ends 20 and 22 of the first andsecond sections 14 and 16, serve as contact surfaces for the toy 10 asit tumbles down a slope S. Each section 14 and 16 also has an opensecond end, respectively 40 and 42, through which the weight 12 may passas it moves from one section to the other as the toy 10 tumblesdownslope.

It will be noted that the two telescoping sections 14 and 16 fit closelytogether, so that the second section 16 has a friction fit within thefirst section 14, and will tend to maintain its position relative to thefirst section 14 until manually adjusted to another position. Thisreasonably tight fit between the two sections 14 and 16 ensures that thetwo sections will maintain any specific setting or position onceadjusted, and thus maintain a given overall length, rather than shiftingas the toy tumbles and thereby changing the moment of inertia andtumbling rate of the toy 10. This relatively tight fit also ensures thatthe two sections 14 and 16 do not inadvertently separate duringtumbling, thereby releasing the weight 12 contained therein.

However, the frictional fit between the two sections 14 and 16 doesprovide for the deliberate separation of the two sections by a personusing the present toy 10 if desired, as indicated in FIG. 4. This allowsthe weight 12 therein to be removed and exchanged for a weight 12ahaving a different mass (greater or lesser, as desired), to change themoment of inertia and rate of tumble of the assembled toy 10 as desired.While generally it will be desirable to provide a weight 12 having agreater mass than the shell comprising components 14 and 16, it will beseen that a weight 12a may be substituted with a mass less than or equalto that of the shell, if desired. As the tumbling action is initiated bythe weight rolling into the lower convex end of one of the sections 12or 14, and thus overbalancing the mass of those sections and causing theassembled sections to tumble end over end, it will be seen that theshallower the slope S, the greater the mass of the weight 12 requiredrelative to the mass of the assembled components 14 and 16 to producethe desired tumbling action. However, for relatively steep slopes, asmaller mass is capable of causing the desired tumbling action.

The weights 12/12a or other, may comprise spherical objects, such as amarble, a steel or other metallic ball bearing, or a lead weight, asdesired. Alternatively, other non-spherical shapes may be provided forthe weights, as desired. For example, a cylindrical weight will rolljust as readily within the hollow interior 18 of the toy 10, but willpossess a slightly greater moment of inertia due to its cylindricalshape as opposed to the spherical shape shown in the drawings. Othershapes (polyhedrons, hexagonal or octagonal parallelipipeds, etc.) mayalso be used, which shapes will each have a different effect upon thetumbling action.

The tumbling rate of the present toy 10 (and others relying upon thesame principle) is dependent upon a relatively complex mechanical actioninvolving the moment of inertia of the hollow shell comprising the twosections 14 and 16 along its longitudinal axis A, and that of the weight12/12a captured therein. Moment of inertia is a mathematical expressiondescribing the resistance of a body to rotation about a given axis, andis dependent upon the mass of the body multiplied by the square of itsdimension or arm along the given axis. Thus, any increase in the mass ofthe body (which includes the loose weight 12 captured therein, in thecase of toy 10), or increase in the length of the body (i.e., the twoshell sections 14 and 16), will result in an increase in the moment ofinertia of the toy. An increase in the overall length of the shellsections 14 and 16 of the toy 10 will be seen to increase the moment ofinertia of the toy 10 more than a corresponding increase of the internalweight 12, due to (1) the effect on the moment of inertia due to thesquaring of the length increase, and (2) the increased time required forthe weight 12 to roll from one end to the other of the increased lengthof the toy 10.

Accordingly, additional telescoping sections may be provided, as shownin a second embodiment 10a in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The toy 10acomprises a first end section 14a and an oppositely disposed second endsection 16a, similar to the two end sections 12 and 14 of FIGS. 1, 2,and 4 discussed above. However, rather than telescoping directly to oneanother, one or more telescoping intermediate sections 44 may beprovided, with the two end sections 14a and 16a telescoping with theseintermediate sections 44. (While only one intermediate section 44 isshown in FIG. 3, it will be understood that additional sections may beprovided, so long as they are configured in a manner to provide therequired closely fitting frictionally adjustable telescoping action withone another, and with the ends 14a and 16a. Clearances are exaggeratedin FIG. 3 for clarity.) The intermediate section(s) 44 are configuredsimilarly to the ends 14a/16a, having a rectangular cross section,opposite first and second contact surfaces or panels 46 and 48, andopposite first and second side walls 50 and 52. However, eachintermediate section 44 includes a first and an opposite second open end54 and 56, with which one of the two end sections 14a/16a (or anotherintermediate section 44, appropriately sized) may telescope. Thus, atelescoping tumbling toy 10a may be: constructed which has a relativelyhigh moment of inertia (and thus a relatively slow tumbling rate), dueto the length of the assembled body or shell 10a. Such a toy 10a wouldlikely require a weight 12 therein having a relatively large mass, inorder to overcome the mass of the shell 10a and its length or arm, butthe interchangeability of the weights 12, 12a or other by means of thedisassembly of the various components 14a/14b/44, in the mannerdescribed above for the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4,permits such interchangeability with ease.

Preferably, the various components comprising the shell of the presenttoys 10/10a (i.e., end components 14/16 and/or 14a/16a and anyintermediate sections 44) are formed of plastic, for economy,durability, and ease of manufacture. Many manufactured plastic surfaceshave a relatively low coefficient of friction, which is undesirable inthe present toy 10/10a, at least on the rounded ends and first andsecond contact surfaces which are alternating in contact with thesurface of the underlying slope as the toy 10/10a tumbles downwardlytherealong.

Accordingly, the present toy 10/10a may include some means of providinga relatively high coefficient of friction to those contact surfaces andends, so that they will better "grip" the underlying slope surface toprovide the desired tumbling action, rather than merely sliding downwardalong the slope without tumbling. This friction means may comprise acoating 58 extending essentially continually over the contact surfaces,as shown on the surfaces 28 and 30 and ends 20 and 22 in FIG. 5 (it willbe understood that the coating is also provided on the opposite contactsurfaces which cannot be seen in FIG. 5). This friction means or coating58 may be a relatively soft gum rubber, or other suitable materialproviding a relatively good "grip" when placed upon another surface.

Alternatively, the friction means may comprise two or more bands 60 ofsuch material, as shown in FIG. 6. In fact, a plurality of rubber bandsmay be wrapped about the present toy 10 to serve this purpose, ifdesired. However, it will be understood that such bands would tend todraw the various sections 14/16 (or 14a/16a/44) together, due to thetensile forces produced by the bands. Accordingly, it is preferred thatany such bands of high friction material be provided as permanent spacedapart bands 60 extending substantially completely about the contactsurfaces of the toy 10.

In summary, telescoping tumbling toy 10/10a will be seen to provide anenjoyable action toy which action may be easily modified or adjustedmerely by changing the length of the toy by telescoping the various endsections and/or intermediate section(s) to lengthen or shorten theoverall length, as desired, to increase or decrease the moment ofinertia of the toy 10/10a. As the telescoping sections may be separatedfrom one another, access to the weight 12/12a is provided, therebyallowing the weight to be exchanged for one of greater or lesser mass,as desired in order to alter further the moment of inertia of the toy.The present toy 10/10a is extremely simple and economical tomanufacture, and provides an excellent means of demonstrating theprinciples of moment of inertia to science and engineering students,and/or others interested in the subject. The many means provided ofaltering the tumbling rate, including altering the slope of the inclinedsurface, adjusting the length of the body of the toy, and/or adjustingthe mass and configuration of the weight within the toy, permit personsto adjust these variables to see their effects upon the tumbling rate ofthe toy, and provide additional interest in the toy over earlier knowndevices in which the tumbling rate was fixed.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to thesole embodiments described above, but encompasses any and allembodiments within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A telescoping tumbling toy, comprising:an elongate shellhaving a hollow interior and including a first section and a secondsection, each having a substantially rectangular cross section, a firstand an opposite second contact panel each of substantially planarconfiguration, a closed first end having a convex curvature andextending between said first and said second contact panel, an opensecond end disposed opposite said closed first end, and a first and anopposite second side wall each of substantially planar configuration andextending between said first and said second contact panel; said shellsecond section having an exterior shape and size configured to fitclosely within and to be frictionally and adjustably gripped within saidsecond end of said shell first section, thereby providing for therelative telescoping of said first section and second section andfurther providing an adjustable length for said shell; a first weightloosely disposed within said shell, said first weight being free to movebetween said first end of said first section and said first end of saidsecond section, and; at least a second weight having a different massthan said first weight; said first section and said second section beingseparable and openable to provide access to said hollow interior of saidshell and said first weight is removable from said shell to provide forthe interchangeability thereof within said shell, whereby; said firstweight may be removed from said shell and said second weight may beinstalled therein, thereby adjusting the moment of inertia of said toycomprising said shell and said second weight therewithin and accordinglyadjusting the tumbling rate of said tumbling toy when said tumbling toyis placed upon a slope to tumble down the slope on said convex firstend, said first contact surface, said convex second end, and said secondcontact surface of said toy; and whereby; said first section and saidsecond section may be telescopingly adjusted relative to one another toadjust said length of said shell, thereby adjusting the moment ofinertia of said toy and accordingly adjusting the tumbling rate of saidtumbling toy when said tumbling toy is placed upon a slope to tumbledown the slope on said convex first end of said first section, saidfirst contact surface, said convex first end of said second section, andsaid second contact surface of said toy.
 2. The telescoping tumbling toyof claim 1, wherein:said shell has a mass, and said first weight has amass greater than said shell.
 3. The telescoping tumbling toy of claim 1wherein:said shell has a mass, and said first weight has a masssubstantially equal to said shell.
 4. The telescoping tumbling toy ofclaim 1, wherein:said shell has a mass, and said first weight has a massless than said shell.
 5. The telescoping tumbling toy of claim 1,including:friction means for frictionally engaging a tumbling surface,said friction means being disposed upon each said contact panel and uponsaid closed first end and said closed second end, said friction meanscomprising a substantially continuous coating of material having a highcoefficient of friction.
 6. The telescoping tumbling toy of claim 1,including:friction means for frictionally engaging a tumbling surface,said friction means being disposed upon each said contact panel and uponsaid closed first end and said closed second end, said friction meanscomprising a plurality of spaced apart bands of material having a highcoefficient of friction.
 7. The telescoping tumbling toy of claim 1,wherein:each said closed end has a semicylindrical curvature.
 8. Thetelescoping tumbling toy of claim 1, wherein:said shell is formed ofplastic.
 9. The telescoping tumbling toy of claim 1, wherein:said firstweight is selected from the group consisting of a spherical marble, asteel sphere, and a lead sphere.
 10. A telescoping tumbling toy,comprising:an elongate shell having a hollow interior and including afirst end section and a second end section oppositely disposed thereto,each having a substantially rectangular cross section, a first and anopposite second contact panel each of substantially planarconfiguration, a closed first end having a convex curvature andextending between said first and said second contact panel, an opensecond end disposed opposite said closed first end, and a first and anopposite second side wall each of substantially planar configuration andextending between said first and said second contact panel; said shellfurther including at least one intermediate section having asubstantially rectangular cross section, a first and an opposite secondcontact panel each of substantially planar configuration, an open firstend with an open second end disposed opposite said open first end, and afirst and an opposite second side wall each of substantially planarconfiguration and extending between said first and said second contactpanel; said shell first end section and opposite second end section eachhaving an exterior shape and size configured to fit closely within andto be frictionally and adjustably gripped within said at least oneintermediate section, thereby providing for the relative telescoping ofsaid first end section, said at least one intermediate section, and saidsecond end section and further providing an adjustable length for saidshell, and; a first weight loosely disposed within said shell, saidfirst weight being free to move between said first end of said first endsection and said first end of said second end section and through saidat least one intermediate section, whereby; said first end section, saidat least one intermediate section, and said second end section may betelescopingly adjusted relative to one another to adjust said length ofsaid shell, thereby adjusting the moment of inertia of said toycomprising said shell and said first weight therewithin and accordinglyadjusting the tumbling rate of said tumbling toy when said tumbling toyis placed upon a slope to tumble down the slope on said convex first endof said first end section, said first contact surface, said convex firstend of said second end section, and said second contact surface of saidtoy.
 11. The telescoping tumbling toy of claim 10, wherein:said firstsection, said at least one intermediate section, and said second sectionare separable and openable to provide access to said hollow interior ofsaid shell and said first weight is removable from said shell to providefor the interchangeability thereof within said shell, and; at least asecond weight having a different mass than said first weight, whereby;said first weight may be removed from said shell and said second weightmay be installed therein, thereby adjusting the moment of inertia ofsaid toy comprising said shell and said second weight therewithin andaccordingly adjusting the tumbling rate of said tumbling toy when saidtumbling toy is placed upon a slope to tumble down the slope on saidconvex first end of said first end section, said first contact surface,said convex first end of said second end section, and said secondcontact surface of said toy.
 12. The telescoping tumbling toy of claim10, wherein:said shell has a mass, and said first weight has a massgreater than said shell.
 13. The telescoping tumbling toy of claim 10,wherein:said shell has a mass, and said first weight has a masssubstantially equal to said shell.
 14. The telescoping tumbling toy ofclaim 10, wherein:said shell has a mass, and said first weight has amass less than said shell.
 15. The telescoping tumbling toy of claim 10,including:friction means for frictionally engaging a tumbling surface,said friction means being disposed upon each said contact panel and uponsaid closed first end of said first section and said closed first end ofsaid second section, said friction means comprising a substantiallycontinuous coating of material having a high coefficient of friction.16. The telescoping tumbling toy of claim 10, including:friction meansfor frictionally engaging a tumbling surface, said friction means beingdisposed upon each said contact panel and upon said closed first end ofsaid first end section and said closed first end of said second endsection, said friction means comprising a plurality of spaced apartbands of material having a high coefficient of friction.
 17. Thetelescoping tumbling toy of claim 10, wherein:each said closed end has asemicylindrical curvature.
 18. The telescoping tumbling toy of claim 10,wherein:said shell is formed of plastic.
 19. The telescoping tumblingtoy of claim 10, wherein:said first weight is selected from the groupconsisting of a spherical marble, a steel sphere, and a lead sphere.